The B.East, located in Brunswick East (geddit?), made me think of two things when I first caught wind of it– a minotaur in a labyrinth and e.e. cummings.

In the actual B.East that wasn’t the product of my overactive imagination, I encountered nary a mythical beast, nor any aspiring poets with a penchant for punctuation. Instead, I found an open plan space with a modern warehouse feel.

Polished concrete floors and bare bulbs give the large space its feel, made quirky with various knick knacks such as a gas mask wearing shades. The walls are adorned with local artists’ work and a stage with a decent sound system plays host to live bands, blurring the line between eatery and drinking hole, and emerging as a little bit of both. As far as “supporting local” goes, The B.East ticks all the boxes.

The considered drinks menu includes some good beers at reasonable prices – Fat Yak is $5.50 per pot. The wine list is on the pricier side per glass, but the choices are great. One of my favorites – Alpha, Box and Dice’s Tarot Grenache, rings in at $12 per glass.

But cocktails are the real highlight, with the entire table drooling over the B.east Bacon Martini ($16), a bacon infused vodka mixed with tabasco and bacon garnish.

For families and non-drinkers, the American diner style menu offers soft drinks, coffee and tea, a host of milkshakes and an unlimited soda stream for just $10.

The food menu is burger-centric, with all the main meats and even venison on offer. All ingredients are made on-site except for the buns, making for some very fresh burgers.

The Classic 100% B.east pattie, cheese, pickled red onions, lettuce, tomato and the chef’s own ketchup ($10) while the Game ($14) consists of venison, spiced red cabbage, lettuce and chestnut relish, just perfect for the colder weather.

The sides are separate and the triple cooked chips with chilli sauce and cheese ($9) come highly recommended.

Should you not feel up to a burger, the duck salad ($10), pork shoulder and crackling sandwich ($12) and wagyu steak sandwich ($12) should be able to tempt you.

If you can still fit dessert in, the B.east Ice Cream Sundae ($9) should be able to fill any spare corners you have left.

Given its great location, The B.East looks set to stay and perhaps, become the local burger joint/watering hole/live music venue – we’ll have to wait and see.